Special offer

Changing With The Times -- At Last

By
Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103

 Just read a post by Deb Salkeld (VA) and I was about to comment but thought it would be too long.  Her post asked about preferred method of communicating.  I remember when I got my first computer, after years of prodding by my son who implored me to "stop buying televisions and get yourself a computer."  My answer to him was that I'd lived my whole life without it and couldn't fathom a reason to change now.  It wasn't till he assured me I'd hear from him more often that I considered buying one.  Our first visit to the electronics store had him discussing  the components I would need with the salesperson as I tried to decipher the language, not understanding a word.

That was about twelve or thirteen years ago and the path of my business and my life has been forever altered by the decision I made that day.  Once I got on board with the "new technology" I never looked back.  I even became somewhat of a zealot about the possibilities the Internet afforded at a time when most people in our industry saw it as a death knell for real estate brokers.  I was the first agent in my area to have a web site, which serves me well to this day.

Most of my business comes from the web and most of my buyers prefer to communicate by email or text messaging.  Interestingly many of my sellers still prefer the telephone and paper CMAs.  Given the real estate environment on Long Island now, I'm surprised by how many calls I get from agents asking me how, exactly, I'm still attracting buyers as they sit and twiddle their thumbs waiting for someone to show up at their Open Houses. 

Posted by
Thinking of buying or selling a home on Long Island, click below. 
Selling Your Home on Long IslandBuying a home on Long Island Easy Long Island Home Search

Geri Sonkin - Long Island Real Estate Expert - Stager/Decorator  516 425-6098

Eileen Landau
BAIRD & WARNER, NAPERVILLE - Naperville, IL
ABR, CRS, e-PRO

Geri, I worked at UPI and actually used an early IBM system. So, when Apple came out with their very expensive, very little MACs...I bought one in 1989! I think I'm on my 8th computer. I've lost track.

And, yes, I've had agents tell me that a business plan that depended upon internets leads wouldn't be a good one. HA!

Let them continue with that kind of thinking!

Nov 21, 2006 01:26 PM
Deb Salkeld
Diversified Data Solutions, L.L.C. - Macomb, MI
Your Real Estate Virtual Assistant
It's amazing how just a few years has made all the difference in how we conduct business.  I believe there was a blog a few days ago about phone books - a few of us commented on how we use the Internet to look up phone numbers or businesses.  Good for you, Geri, for being at the head of the trend in your area!
Nov 21, 2006 01:38 PM
Eric Bouler
Gardner Realtors, Licensed in La. - New Orleans, LA
Listening to your Needs
You have to wonder how blogs are going to fit in this onward move. Its just another way to communicate with clients we may not have met yet. It could also be another version of a website. Some agents just like figuring out what is next. Eric 
Nov 21, 2006 01:43 PM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

Eileen - You started earlier than I did.  I remember hearing agents in my neck of the woods calling potential web clients "internuts."  How little they knew.

Deb - I can't remember the last time I picked up a phone book (except to throw it out).

Eric - I suspect we're the early travelers on this blogging road.  My gut tells me it may be a wilderness now, but those of us leading the trek will be big winners in this social networking arena.  For me that would only be a bonus.  I'm loving the journey.

Nov 21, 2006 01:56 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
20 years ago my son Rusty brought me kicking and screaming into e-mail - he even had to buy me Netscape and guilt me into using it. He told me then that if I wanted to stay in the real estate business, that if I didn't have  e-mail and a website I would be out of business. What great advice.
Nov 21, 2006 09:59 PM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert
Sharon - Isn't it great when the children are the teachers.  I have to tell my son tomorrow how much he changed my life that day so long ago.
Nov 22, 2006 12:21 AM
Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate
Majestic Properties - Miami Beach, FL

What would our lives be without computers?  It still amazes me today when someone tells me they don't have e-mail - it feels like they come from a different dimension.

Nov 22, 2006 01:40 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Geri"

This is actually a timely post for me...

Earlier today one of my Sons called me, and this was a first, A Geek...

That was a compliment. Glad I had the chance to share it...

He prodded me, just like yours did you...

So what we be without the prodding Sons and the computers?

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Put The Phone Down And Enjoy A Day Of Thanks...ROAR!

Nov 22, 2006 09:29 AM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL

My kids call me a geek, but it's with a sense of awe and delight

Moo

(or maybe that is how I choose to see it)

Nov 22, 2006 01:19 PM